n. [ L. ostentus, ostentum, fr. ostendere (p. p. ostensus and ostentus) to show. See Ostensible. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Appearance; air; mien. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Manifestation; token; portent. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

We asked of God that some ostent might clear
Our cloudy business, who gave us sign. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. ostentatus, p. p. of ostentare, v. intens. fr. ostendere. See Ostent. ] To make an ambitious display of; to show or exhibit boastingly. [ R. ] Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ostentatio: cf. F. ostentation. ] 1. The act of ostentating or of making an ambitious display; unnecessary show; pretentious parade; -- usually in a detractive sense. “Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

He knew that good and bountiful minds were sometimes inclined to ostentation. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A show or spectacle. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Parade; pageantry; show; pomp; pompousness; vaunting; boasting. See Parade. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Fond of, or evincing, ostentation; unduly conspicuous; pretentious; boastful. [ 1913 Webster ]

Far from being ostentatious of the good you do. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

The ostentatious professions of many years. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Os`ten*ta"tious*ly, adv. -- Os`ten*ta"tious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One fond of display; a boaster. Sherwood. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Ostentatious. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Ostentatious. [ Obs. ] Feltham. [ 1913 Webster ]